Nortriptyline and Insomnia: What Users Say

• chi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 26, 2014

For Pain "I'm being treated with nortriptyline for abdominal wall pain due to having irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for almost 40 years now. I still have pain in other areas but this does the trick for the abdominal pain, which is like the pain you get in your side after you've been running for a long time. It wasn't just a stabbing pain, though, it came, it stayed, and wouldn't go away. I only take 10mg and my prescription says to increase as necessary, but I've been on it successfully for over a year now. I stopped it once with the OK of the doctor, but within three weeks, the pain returned, so I started back up on it. I do have the dry mouth and sometimes restless sleep, but I can handle that...I couldn't handle the abdominal pain...this worked!"

• Hel...
• August 31, 2015

For Depression "I was the person who had all kinds of problems and none of them could be linked together. So, I saw many doctors and I tried many drugs. I had major depression, which all the usual antidepressants made worse. Debilitating migraines, moderate to severe muscle and joint pain, severe insomnia, and panic attacks. I was on many medications and in high doses, but they didn't help. It was very frustrating because no one believed what I experienced was real. Until a friend in college said maybe it's just in your head and encouraged me to see a counselor who then sent me to the psychiatrist. He took me off everything I was on and put me on nortriptyline within 3 weeks. I did a 180, except for the panic attacks for which I started taking lorazepam. I'm doing great."

• Nig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2016

For Pain "I took the first dose at night because my doctor said it may cause sleepiness. I woke up in the middle of the night with a terrible headache and insomnia. I decided to try a second night. This time, no headache, but still insomnia. Last night I took my tenth dose, and I am awake two hours after falling asleep, then having a horrible, horrible nightmare about sexual situations, being part of murders, and my son being kidnapped by a killer clown. I know that sounds dumb, but it was extremely realistic, and now I can't go back to sleep. I will call my doctor in a few hours to discuss tapering off and quitting this medication altogether. My pain has not been relieved at all (even if it had, I could continue with the insomnia and graphic nightmares)."

• gmo...
• February 2, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I've had chronic headaches for 4-5 years and was treating symptoms with OTC meds, which eventually became ineffective. Started having severe migraines about once a week, for which I finally sought a more permanent treatment. Had some undesirable side effects to a few of the initial prescriptions: hair loss, nausea, insomnia, etc. I had a rough start with Nortriptyline. As I increased the dosage, I experienced prolonged drowsiness and some constipation. After a few weeks, the symptoms decreased and my headaches stopped being a daily occurrence. I have had a few migraines since starting, but these have also become less frequent. Maybe from once a week to once a month now. Hoping this works for me long-term and doesn't become ineffective."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2018

For Pain "Put on nortriptyline for nerve pain, the neurologist said it would help with sleep at least, if nothing else. Boy, was he wrong! I don’t tolerate meds well, so started on 10 mg for two weeks and 25 mg for a week. It has done nothing but give me nightmares, keep me awake, and turn me into a depressed emotional mess. I’m so sleep-deprived, my pupils go large, and I feel like I’m on a permanent come down. I’m stopping taking it as I just can’t cope with these side effects. Feel like I’m going mad :( shame really as I was hoping it would help me sleep as it seems to make most people drowsy."

• aa8...
• February 21, 2012

For Depression "I had no problem with Nortriptyline. I had to take it in conjunction with Lithium for depression. My problem was when I quit taking it. I'm dizzy, sick to my stomach, I have ringing in my ears, I'm irritated all the time, and I can't sleep. Just be prepared in case you stop taking it too."

• Pen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2019

For Pain "I was prescribed nortriptyline for chronic back pain after an injury. Unlike most here, I was given 5 mg at night, meant to go up to 10 mg after 5 days. I’m on day 5 and I’m stopping. Immediately I’ve experienced excessive sweating, dry mouth, slight weight gain, nausea, sadness, headaches, and the worst is the insomnia! I am not sleeping at all. I can see this going downhill and am getting married in a few weeks, so don’t need to be all messed up. Do your research, I wouldn’t recommend though."

• Bir...
• January 22, 2020

For Pain "I don't remember having nightmares on Pamelor or Elavil. Both worked well for migraine/facial nerve pain and depression. They'd be better if the side effects weren't dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, and lethargy (Elavil). Remeron is a different story. I had the scariest, most traumatic dreams ever. I was so terrified after waking up, I told my doctor I could not take it anymore. Pamelor and Elavil are probably the best antidepressants that I have tried other than Effexor and Wellbutrin, although the latter gives me more side effects. SSRIs don't work for me and cause agitation, insomnia, teeth grinding. I'll stick with the older antidepressants or the SNRIs."

• Lrr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2018

For Pain "At about week 3 on 25 mg pill. My anxiety is good. My sciatica pain is gone. I just stopped taking it as I started having extreme nightmares and no sleep. I never enter deep sleep. Just a state of dreaming and nightmares. The sense I am fighting and even using a knife to defend myself. The sense I am moving sideways while asleep like a dream but I'm half awake, trapped in sleep until I go through so much 'dream anxiety' that I wake up. I stopped taking it as I have not been able to sleep for 2 days. I'm not taking it anymore. It's too bad because it did seem to be helping pain and depression."

• Gig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 30, 2023

For Neuralgia "10 mg completely took care of my persistent nerve pain. It took 6 weeks for the full resolution of the pain. I had an odd side effect – insomnia. I took the tablet at night as instructed and woke up 6–7 times a night and had weird dreams. Finally, after several weeks of it not improving, I decided to take the tablet in the morning. Now my sleep is perfect and I continue to take the tablet with breakfast. If it doesn't make you drowsy and interferes with your sleep, don't be afraid to take it in the morning (just try it out first before you have to drive/operate machinery). I also have ongoing reflux because of the med. As a bonus, nortriptyline has taken away the debilitating pain I used to have if I ate certain foods (I have IBS). Thanks to this drug, I've been able to eat foods I thought I'd never eat again, with no/minimal discomfort. Period pain is managed also."

• Anonymous
• November 13, 2011

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I also took nortriptyline for irritable bowel syndrome. It did work within a couple of days, however, it also came with side effects. I would wake in the middle of the night and not be able to go back to sleep. The worst side effect was a marked decrease in sexual performance. I discontinued the medication after two weeks. Within a few days, the IBS was back, but the side effects were gone."

• Com...
• May 15, 2020

For Tinnitus "I was taking amitriptyline for a month and wondered if nortriptyline would have fewer symptoms. Since amitriptyline makes me constantly tired and reduces my sense of taste. So I talked to my doctor and was given 25 mg capsules to take once a day. At first, I felt a bit disoriented, almost as if it was the opposite of something like Adderall. But I wasn't tired all day and my taste buds returned to me in full, so whatever, it seemed better the first few days. After nearly a week in, my tinnitus' screeching was becoming intolerably loud and made it harder and harder to fall asleep. Some days it would take more than an hour or maybe two simply to fall asleep. Within a few days, it was becoming obvious it not only made it worse. Also, while my sense of taste wasn't changed, there was something about the taste of almost anything that wasn't satisfying. After two weeks, I went back on ami. Amitriptyline might only help a bit, but at least it does something to make tinnitus marginally more sufferable."

• Mrs...
• November 23, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I've been getting migraines since I was a teenager. I've always used Imitrex (sumatriptan), which worked really well, but the side effects kept worsening throughout the years. So much so that it got to the point where the clothes that touched my skin hurt. Not normal, but better than a migraine, right? That was my thought. I told my doctor, and she immediately had me switch over to nortriptyline 10 mg before bed. I have sleep issues and PTSD as well, and starting this medication helped me with all of it. I've had two migraines since starting a month ago. This is a huge improvement over the 8+ migraines I would normally have. The only downside is that it can back you up a bit. Easy fix with a little Miralax. Overall, I would highly recommend!"

• Emm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 22, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I'm 33. I have been taking 25 mg for the past 4.5 years. I have been getting aura migraines since I was 13. They have always been unpredictable and I could never pin down particular triggers. In my early 20s, I took Sandomigran for a couple of years but found I gained too much weight and still got migraines. For the first 4 years-pretty much to the day-of taking nortriptyline, I didn't have a single migraine, normal headaches lessened, my irritable bowel syndrome and endometriosis improved, and then I got the dreaded aura and a terrible migraine. I have now had 3 migraines in the past 5 months and I am curious as to why it's not working as effectively as it used to. Side effects: no weight gain, I get a dry mouth all day, lowered libido, restless sleep."

• Jot...
• December 5, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I've dealt with IBS for years. Recently diagnosed, approx. 7 months ago. It was debilitating, every morning waking up with a stomach ache. Always misdiagnosed and given other antidepressants. Finally, after seeing a gastroenterologist, my lifesaver prescribed me nortriptyline at a low dose of 10 mg at night. I woke up 2 days later pain-free! I gave him a huge hug! I'm now on 20 mg. The only downside is sleeping issues. But hey, I can deal with that!"

• Rev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2023

For Panic Disorder "The medication didn't work for me and had the opposite effect. On the first night I took it, I experienced some improvement in my sleep due to my chronic insomnia and sleep deprivation. However, I soon realized that it was not the right drug for me. I have a history of panic and nerve pain, but this medication caused an increase in my heart rate, chest pain, and worsened my insomnia, which are all listed as side effects. Additionally, I had to stop taking my previous medication, mirtazapine, in order to try this one, and the withdrawal symptoms were challenging due to its long half-life. Overall, I would not recommend this medication to anyone who has a history of heart problems, high blood pressure, or other conditions. It is one of the worst drugs I have taken."

• Sva...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I was only able to try this drug for 3 days because I couldn’t handle the side effects. The dry mouth I could handle, but not the hot flash - I'd feel pressure and tightness around my body, then start sweating from my hands and feet. I also had insomnia from this! Could not sleep at all. Felt so awake throughout the night. The only reason why I'd end up falling asleep is because I’m so, so tired. But would still wake up in the middle of the night and feel awake. On one of the days, I woke up with a headache from this med. I wish it would’ve worked for me for my headaches, because I tried so many drugs already, but they never worked for me! (Tizanidine, baclofen, cyclobenzaprine). My doctor wants me to try venlafaxine next, but from reading the reviews I’m discouraged. This drug also wasn’t too pricy."

• the...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2017

Nortriptyline for Depression "I was tried on this for major depression. After 2 weeks on 50 mg per night, I couldn't handle it anymore. I ended up going to the ER because my heart was racing. I was at 125/130 beats per minute. I'd only been getting a few hours of sleep each night in those 2 weeks, and experienced the heart racing, brain short circuits, insomnia, anxiety, severe constipation, extreme thirst, and an overall feeling of disconnect from aliveness. As a teenager, I took Doxepin and Elavil too, and they were slightly better, but not much. These TCAs should be a last resort, like Thorazine and Lithium. Seroquel is much better. Good luck to my fellow sufferers!"

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I was so hoping this was going to be the answer to my prayers like it has been for many of you. I still think this is definitely worth a try. It's either a hit or miss, it seems. It's obviously working for so many. For me, I needed an exorcism. LOL I was extremely irritable, yelling, rage, crazy. Extreme insomnia. Heart palpitations, severe anxiety, and night terrors to top it off. Ugh, I have Sjögren's, so treatment options are limited for me, plus I'm freakishly sensitive. I barely made it three days. Good luck to you."

• Mic...
• July 10, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I'm only 19 years old, and I'm taking nortriptyline to prevent my migraines. I get these bad migraines every day, and at times I feel like shaving my whole head off because I feel like it's my hair causing it, but it's not. Well, I've been on nortriptyline for 6 months now. I still get migraines, but not as bad as I used to, but I still get them every day, which sucks. But I hate it because I'm supposed to take it right before I go to sleep, and when I do, I can't sleep anymore, like it wakes me up, and then I'm up the whole night. I start crying at times because I just want my migraines to go away so I could live a happy, normal teenage life. I'm on everyday medication. I take nortriptyline 10 mg and ibuprofen 600 mg. It sucks, I hope I get better soon."

• Get...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2021

For Pain "Jeez Louise. Where to start? Ok - for pain, it was like 60-70% effective when titrated, but the side effects made me wish I was detoxing from Tramadol again. I was fatigued. So tired, I was bedbound for 4 hours during the day. I needed 16 oz Red Bulls to make breakfast. I was bloated. So bloated, I looked six months pregnant. My boobs were swollen and sore. I was always dizzy. Like hold on to the wall or else you fall dizzy. And what is with the blue dots you see when you wake up in the morning? I was coughing all the time - which in 2021 is a no-no with COVID. My insomnia was through the roof, so I had to take it during the daytime and not at night as prescribed. I read the reviews about this drug before agreeing to try it. Never again."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I'm 18, and I've been getting migraines since I was 5. I'm on 50 mg daily. I started nortriptyline in the beginning of summer because I was getting them 2-3 times a week and very severely. I have been off medication all winter, and since heat and activity are a big trigger, I had to get back on medication. I had been very groggy in the mornings, and caffeine wouldn't help. I had insomnia, and when I did sleep, I had nightmares. Those side effects slowly went away with time, except the nightmares, they still come every once in a while. I have heart palpitations, and my heart rate is usually 130-120. I have also gained a lot of weight, I gained over 10 pounds in a month. I haven't had a migraine in a couple of months, only headaches, which aren't that bad."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2023

For Pain "Worst experience ever! I took the lowest dose (10 mg) to treat nerve pain. After 6 days, I woke up in the middle of the night with the loudest tinnitus you can possibly imagine. I stopped immediately and had the worst anxiety/sleepless nights I have ever had in my life. Now, after a week, my tinnitus has gone down 50% in volume and it is tolerable. However, I really hope this stupid drug didn't cause my ears to ring permanently!"

• bun...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 23, 2021

For Pain "Nortriptyline is not for me! I take it for both cervical radiculopathy and sciatica. Although it helps with some of the pain, for such a low dose of 20 mg, I have so many side effects! Ever since I've been on it, I've been having severe mood shifts between anxiety and depression, uncontrollable panic attacks, insomnia, nightmares, a very dry mouth with excessive thirst, dizziness, nausea, and constipation. I can't get off of it because I'll be in unbearable, screaming pain without it. I let my doctor know that this was happening, and she didn't believe the nortriptyline was causing my mood problems. Someone else told me to wait out the side effects for a couple of months, and it will get better, but it only got worse. Gabapentin made me gain too much weight, causing the sciatica and causing mood problems, so I don't want to get back on that. I'm caught between a rock and a hard place because I've talked to about seven doctors, and no one seems to know what to do."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2023

For Pain "This medication caused me to have difficulty thinking clearly and made me feel hypomanic. It also affected my sleep and appetite, making me feel like I was in a dream world. Despite taking only 10 mg, it did alleviate my nerve pain and did not make me feel depressed. However, I was unable to function while taking it. Although I had previously taken amitriptyline, which had some sedative effects, this medication was a stimulant drug. Amitriptyline had more side effects, but at least I was able to function while taking it. My main concern is anxiety, and most antidepressants are primarily for depression, which can potentially worsen anxiety symptoms."